Illinois considering flag redesign, seeks submissions

Illinois may be getting a new flag…or they may keep the old one.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says the Illinois Flag Commission will start accepting public submissions for a new state flag design beginning Tuesday, September 3. The commission is accepting design ideas from the public – online or via mail – until October 18. The commission also plans to work with schools and local libraries to inform Illinoisans about the process and encourage residents to take part. The commission was created in 2023 after Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner (48th District—Springfield) and State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District—Chicago) was signed into law.

“I’m excited to see the creativity of Illinois residents and how they display their passion for our great state,” said Giannoulias, whose office is chairing the commission. “The symbols that represent and unify our state are important and this presents an excellent opportunity to engage Illinoisans and showcase their pride.”

“History is living, breathing and ever-evolving,” said Turner. “We need to ensure government is evolving with the times so people are engaged and a part of what is going on across the state. To start the conversation, I led the initiative to create the Illinois Flag Commission, which is tasked with deciding whether the current state flag should be replaced with a redesigned state flag. We need a flag that truly represents Illinois – a state with a strong workforce, an agriculture champion and so much more.”

“Our flag embodies the rich tapestry of Illinois—from the mighty Mississippi to the shores of Lake Michigan. It reflects our history, our people, and the spirit of our state,” said Buckner. “A new design presents a unique opportunity to honor our heritage while showcasing the evolving story of Illinois.”

The commission will choose 10 designs based on how they reflect the Illinois’ identity. An online survey allowing residents to choose a favorite or keep the current flag starts January 1 and will last about two months.

General guidance for submissions includes:

• Design elements can include natural features of the state, history and culture of the state.
• There is no limit on flag shape or ratio, but designs may be edited by the commission.
• There is no limit on colors, but the commission recommends less than three colors for clarity of design.
• Artists can click here to upload their designs online or mail them to:

Illinois Flag Commission,

Howlett Building, Room 476,

501 S. Second Street,

Springfield, IL 62756

• Participants must provide their first and last name, address, email address and phone number. They must explain their relationship to Illinois and provide a description of their flag entry. Each category is limited to 500 characters.
• Uploaded files must be 5 MB or less and in PNG, GIF or JPG format.
• There should be no watermarks or frames around the image.
• By submitting a design to the Commission, the designer is authorizing the Commission and the State of Illinois to take ownership of the design.
• Artists under 18 may submit designs in coordination with a parent/ guardian, teacher or adult mentor.
• Designs cannot be copied from other designs or use existing logos or copyrighted materials. Designs can include elements or reproductions of the State Seal or any prior Illinois State flag.
• Designs cannot be AI generated.
• Submissions are limited to three per person.
• Submissions from outside the United States, i.e. military bases, must submit by regular mail.

The commission will report its findings to the Illinois General Assembly after a public feedback period. Commission members will vote to adopt a new flag or keep the current design.

The commission is chaired by David Joens, Director of the Illinois State Archives, on behalf of the Secretary of State. Its members include:

• Three members appointed by the governor.
• Four members each appointed by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader and the House Minority Leader.
• A representative from the State Superintendent of Education and one from the Board of the Illinois State Museum.

Illinois isn’t the only state reconsidering its flag. Minnesota unveiled its new flag in December 2023 and both Michigan and Maine are considering an official change in their state flags.

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